Day 7 – Fear God, Not People

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

– Matthew 10:28

The fear of people and social anxiety are common struggles among many women today. This fear may stem from traumatic experiences, abuse, rejection, or negative opinions from others. While these experiences are deeply painful and valid, we must be careful not to let the fear of people take precedence over our reverence for God. When we prioritise pleasing people over honoring Him, we risk turning people into idols.

Living for God, Not for People

Everything we do should ultimately be for the glory of God—not for the approval of people. Paul made this clear in Galatians when he said:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

– Galatians 1:10

There is a clear distinction between fearing God and fearing people. Jesus Himself addressed this in Matthew 10:28, urging His disciples not to misplace their fear.

He is instructing them to fear God rather than people. Jesus is referring to what the Old Testament often describes as the “fear of God.” The Old Testament teaches us that:

• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7)

• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)

To fear God means to honor Him, revere Him, and acknowledge His supreme authority. When we fear God, we are compelled to live righteously and reject sin.

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”

– Proverbs 8:13

The Dangers of Fearing People

Fearing people, on the other hand, leads to anxiety and a constant need for validation. It creates a cycle of insecurity, where rejection or past wounds shape our actions.

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

– Proverbs 29:25

If you have faced opposition, rejection or any other experience that has made you feel fearful, do not allow fear to dictate your actions. Do not shrink back or doubt yourself. Instead, remind yourself of this powerful truth:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

– Romans 8:31

Root Your Confidence in God

Your confidence should be anchored in God, not in people’s approval.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

– Psalm 118:8

Take a moment to reflect: Do you fear people more than you fear God? Or do you aim to please people more than your desire to please God?

Write down your fears in a journal and find scriptures to counteract them. The Bible repeatedly questions fear—this is intentional because God knows how fear can keep us bound if we do not confront it with His truth.

God’s Promises to Overcome Fear

Here are some powerful scriptures to help you overcome fear and place your trust in God:

1. The Lord is on your side

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

– Psalm 118:6

2. The Lord is your light and strength

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

– Psalm 27:1

3. The Lord is your helper

“So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

– Hebrews 13:6

4. The Lord will never leave you

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

– Deuteronomy 31:6

I’d love to hear your thoughts—have you ever struggled with fearing people more than God? How did you overcome it? Share your experiences in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to this blog, I’ll be sharing more on being courageous in Day 8 of this devotional.

Stay blessed and encouraged,

Nkechi

xoxo